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Drag Race Down Under stars reveal why 2024 season was the best yet

BBG News

As a dedicated follower and a long-time fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, I have witnessed the evolution of this magnificent show over the years. However, nothing could have prepared me for the extraordinary transformation that Season Four of Drag Race Down Under underwent in the absence of its beloved host, RuPaul.

It’s uncommon for a TV show to suffer the departure of its main star and still produce its finest season, but that’s precisely what occurred when RuPaul took a break from Drag Race Down Under in 2024.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t contain my excitement! The fourth season, where the extraordinary Lazy Susan was declared Melbourne’s victor and Australia’s second winner, came to an exhilarating end last Friday. The social media buzz has been deafening with rave reviews – it was simply electrifying!

In 2021, “Down Under” marked its seventh iteration as a show, making it the third one to have RuPaul as the host. Joining RuPaul on the judging panel were Michelle Visage, who has been a judge for the US version since 2011, and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson.

Daily Mail Australia recently interviewed two notable figures – longtime Oxford Street icon Vybe, and drag queen Mandy Moobs from Brisbane – to discover the factors behind their transformations.

32-year-old mainstay of Oxford Street, Vybe, expressed that the charm of this season lies in the growing bond among us all, which we’ve embraced warmly.

‘The atmosphere was such that everyone did their best to uphold the quality of the performance rather than personal glory. It’s impressive that collectively, we managed to make the entire show shine, and I’m incredibly proud of our accomplishment.’

Ru withdrew from hosting the fourth season due to scheduling conflicts around promoting his memoir.

Yet, by placing Michelle Visage at the helm, the show received a fresh infusion of energy.

Vybe mentioned that while Ru’s absence might not have been the sole reason for the show’s success, it was undeniably due to the fact that Michelle played a significant role in its triumph.

She exuded a nurturing and considerate aura throughout her presence. There seemed to be no forced, dramatic confrontations or manufactured disagreements between us, nor an excessive amount of sensationalized conflict, as it simply didn’t seem fitting for this season.

‘Michelle is so fabulous, I can’t sing her praises high enough,’ runner-up Mandy Moobs, added. 

The Brisbane seamstress, 33, said as host, Michelle was ‘genuinely interested in every single one of us.’

‘She wanted to know who we were, what our background was, and what our challenges were. 

‘She wanted us to succeed and the season to succeed, and so it did.’ 

For 13 years now, Vybe has been a frequent performer on the bustling Oxford Street in Sydney, gracing stages at popular establishments such as Universal, Stonewall, and Arq.

She expressed satisfaction upon reaching her objective, the finish line, alongside this group, and found no room for complaint whatsoever. It was a joyous occasion for us all, as we came together to celebrate and support one another.

In a typical Australian drag setting, we exchange playful barbs and witty remarks. It’s all about camaraderie – we’re open to taking the jest ourselves or poking fun at someone else when needed, especially if they’re acting foolishly.

Instead of Mother Ru, the fourth season also featured a variety of local celebrities as rotating guest judges, such as Peach PRC, G Flip, Ladyhawke, along with drag artists like Kween Kong.

Vybe remarked, “The most significant improvement I noticed this season was having a judging panel who truly grasp, embody, and are renowned figures in our local community.

Having a friend or someone who could understand and appreciate your humor allowed us all some space to relax and express our creative ideas.

Mandy remarked, “This season was more like a lively get-together among friends rather than a competitive event. It was enjoyable throughout.

As a team, we gathered and collectively agreed on creating exceptional television content. Luckily, there were no oversized personalities vying for attention or seeking the limelight among us.

‘We wanted everyone to at least have a moment to shine and that came through on-screen.’

She is still nursing a hangover from post-finale celebrations in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and says she is now booked out until April.

All four seasons of Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under are available to stream on Stan now.

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2024-12-23 06:48

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